Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)

Sale: Triton X, Lot: 911. Estimate $300.  Closing Date: Monday, 8 January 2007.  Sold For $800. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

AUSTRIA, Holy Roman Empire. Ferdinand II. Emperor, 1592-1637. AR 2 Ducat Klippe (3.92 g). Commemorating the coronation of Ferdinand II in Frankfurt in 1619. Frankfurt mint. • FERDINAND • II • D : G • ROM • IMP • SEMP • AV • H • R • CO • FRANCO : F, laureate, draped, and armored bust right; winged cherub heads in corners / LEGITIME • (rosette) • CERTANIBVS :, imperial crown; sun shining on laurel wreath above, palm frond and laurel branch flanking, crossed swords below; floral design in corners. J&F 348; cf. Friedberg 964 (AV 2 Ducat Klippe). VF. Rare.

Ferdinand II (1578-1637) was educated by the Jesuits at the University of Ingolstadt. He was staunchly Catholic, and his religious convictions would play a very influential role during his reign. While ruling as Archduke of Styria (before receiving his imperial title), Ferdinand was elected King of Bohemia in 1617. Shortly thereafter, with the implicit support of Ferdinand, ecclesiastical leaders in Bohemia destroyed several Protestant churches and banned the practice of non-Catholic religions. The Protestant Bohemian nobility felt that Ferdinand was violating their religious freedoms, which were guaranteed to them by the Letter of Majesty, an agreement made during the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II. In response, they revolted against Ferdinand and elected a new Protestant king, Frederick V of the Palatinate.

In 1619, the Holy Roman Emperor Matthias died. As prescribed by the laws of the empire, the Elector-Archbishop of Mainz called a meeting of the imperial electors at Frankfurt. Their task was to choose a new emperor. Normally, this election would be a straightforward affair; as an Austrian Habsburg, Ferdinand was practically destined for the throne. However, the task was complicated by the fact that Bohemia held electoral rights. As such, Frederick V, the new Bohemian king, would participate in the election. With the Bohemian rebellion in full swing, Frederick opposed the election of Ferdinand, fearing that he would attempt to retake Bohemia. Ultimately, Frederick’s attempts to prevent or stall the election failed. Ferdinand was proclaimed Holy Roman Emperor on 28 August 1619.

With his new title – and the support of other Catholic nations – Ferdinand embarked on a fierce campaign to put down the Protestant rebellion. He invaded Bohemia and, on 8 November 1620, defeated Frederick V at the Battle of White Mountain. This skirmish marked the beginning of a long succession of battles that would become known as the Thirty Years’ War.